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Park board weighs hunting and trapping policy; state CHAP program under consideration
Summary
Clay County Park staff and commissioners reviewed public input on proposed hunting and trapping policy changes, left the current policy in place and said they will consider the state CHAP program to manage hunting access and liability.
Park staff told the Clay County Commission that a recent, more-public meeting to solicit comment on hunting and trapping policy drew largely favorable comments for the proposed changes but raised several issues the board wants to study further.
Staff said commenters were ‘‘overwhelmingly in favor’’ of the change but that the board decided to leave the current policy in place while it evaluates options, including the state’s CHAP (Cooperative Hunter Access Program) contract model. Park staff said CHAP could provide a revenue stream, limit the number and type of hunters, and shift liability for hunting on park property to the state.
The meeting also covered how the park is divided into sections (described in the presentation as parcels a, b and c) and how different rules would apply in each area. Parcel a is state-owned land abutting the campground and follows state rules. Parcel b includes woods used by local gun clubs; those clubs prefer to keep hunting out of the woods. Parcel c — the area most likely under consideration for any change — includes playground woods, prairie restoration and some farm fields.
Staff highlighted questions about hunting rights when farmland is operated by a tenant. They noted a rule mentioned by a presenter that landowners or lessees with 160 acres may have priority for certain landowner-preference licenses; staff said many of the park parcels are smaller and that tenant rights need clarification. A representative from Game, Fish and Parks attended and described how CHAP contracts typically restrict hunting on crop ground until after harvest.
The board agreed to table final action on hunting and to discuss the matter again at the next park-board meeting after staff has had time to gather more information and to coordinate with Game, Fish and Parks.
